Bill of Rights Day Ceremony

This episode is from the WNYC archives. It may contain language which is no longer politically or socially appropriate.

Presentation of awards by Bill of Rights Day Association. Mayor Wagner reads the proclamation.

Awards is given to Wagner (no really, Kennedy). He's not in attendance, and the children are sad. Philip Ryan reads his acceptance.

Warren Weaver receives an award for distinguished public service in the field of journalism.

Dr. Peter San Martino receives an award for work in education.

Edward S. Silver receives an award for law enforcement.

A fifth award is given to Vincent Rossini, the National Director of the Bill of Rights Association, for his work promoting the Bill of Rights.

A letter written by Senator Javits is read. Benediction.

Rundown: ProgramIn Recognition of the174th Anniversary of the Ratificationof Our AmericanBill of RightsandThe 17th Anniversary of the Adoption of theUniversal Declaration of Human RightsCITY HALL , NEW YORKWEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 15, 196512 NOONTwentyfifth National ObservanceSponsored byAMERICAN BILL OF RIGHTS DAY ASSOCIATIONCAPT. VINCENT ROSSINIFounder and National Director

Order of ExercisesCHAIRMAN OF THE EXERCISESHON. EDWARD D. REChairman, Foreign Claims Settlement Commissionof the United StatesTHE STAR SPANGLED BANNER. Miss RINA TELLIDramatic Soprano, Star of Opera, Concert and TVINVOCATION. RABBI EUGENE J. COHENNational Jewish Welfare BoardREADING FROM THE SCRIPTURES REV. EDMUND A. BOSCHChaplain, Police DepartmentPRESENTATION OF CITATIONS. HON. ROBERT F. WAGNERMayor of the City of New York, PresidingRECIPIENTS:DR . PETER SAMMARTINOPresident, Fairleigb Dickinson UniversityRutherford, N. J.”” In the Field of EducationMR. WARREN WEAVERJournalist, N. Y. Times”” In the Field of JournalismHON . EDWARD L. SILVERJudge, Surrogate's Court of Kings County””In the Field of LawACKNOWLEDGMENTBENEDICTION H. E. MOST REV. JOSEPH M. PERNICONEAuxiliary Bishop to Cardinal SpellmanAMERICA , OUR HERITAGE ARRANGED BY H. ADESCARDINAL SPELLMAN HIGH SCHOOL CHORALEConducted by William JacquesThe Association wishes to acknowledge the cooperation of Bro. Gregory, F. S. C, Principalof Boy's Department Cardinal Spellman High School(The music for these exercises is by the Department of Sanitation Orchestra under the leadership ofMaestro JOHN M. CELEBRE, through the cooperation of HON. FRANK J. LUCIA, Commissioner.)Bill of RightsThe Ten Original AmendmentsARTICLE I.(Religious Establishment Prohibited. Freedomof Speech, of the Press, and Right to Petition.)”””¢Congress shall make no law respecting an establishmentof religion, or prohibiting the free exercisethereof; or abridging the freedom of speech,or of the press; or the right of the people peaceablyto assemble and to petition the Governmentfor a redress of grievances.ARTICLE II.(Right to Keep and Bear Arms.)”” A well-regulatedmilitia being necessary to the security of afree State, the right of the people to keep andbear arms shall not be infringed.ARTICLE III.(Conditions for Quarters for Soldiers.) ”” Nosoldier shall, in time of peace, be quartered inany house without the consent of the owner, norin time of war but in a manner to be prescribedby law.ARTICLE IV.(Right of Search and Seizure Regulated.)””Theright of the people to be secure in their persons,houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonablesearches and seizures, shall not be violated, andno warrants shall issue but upon probable cause,supported by oath or affirmation, and particularlydescribing the place to be searched, and the personsor things to be seized.ARTICLE V.(Provisions Concerning Prosecution, Trial andPunishment””Private Property Not to Be Takenfor Public Use Without Compensation.)””No personshall be held to answer for a capital or otherinfamous crime unless on a presentment or indictmentof a Grand Jury, except in cases arising inthe land or naval forces, or in the militia, whenin actual service, in time of war or public danger;nor shall any person be subject for the sameoffense to be twice put in jeopardy of life or limb;nor shall be compelled in any criminal case tobe a witness against himself, nor be deprived oflife, liberty, or property, without due process oflaw; nor shall private property be taken for publicuse without just compensation.ARTICLE VI.(Right to Speedy Trial, Witnesses, etc.)””-In allcriminal prosecutions, the accused shall enjoy theright to a speedy and public trial, by an impartialjury of the State and district wherein the crimeshall have been committed, which districts shallhave been previously ascertained by law, and tobe informed of the nature and cause of theaccusation; to be confronted with the witnessesagainst him; to have compulsory process for obtainingwitnesses in his favor, and to have theassistance of counsel for his defense.ARTICLE VII.(Right of Trial by Jury.)””In suits at commonlaw, where the value in controversy shall exceedtwenty dollars, the right of trial by jury shall bepreserved, and no fact tried by a jury shall beotherwise re-examined in any court of the UnitedStates than according to the rules of the commonlaw.ARTICLE VIII.(Excessive Bail or Fines and Cruel PunishmentProhibited.)””Excessive bail shall not be required,nor excessive fines imposed, nor cruel and unusualpunishments inflicted.ARTICLE IX.(Rule of Construction of Constitution.) ”” Theenumeration in the Constitution of certain rightsshall not be construed to deny or disparage othersretained by the people.ARTICLE X.(Rights of States Under Constitution.) ”” Thepowers not delegated to the United States by theConstitution, nor prohibited by it to the States,are reserved to the States respectively, or to thepeople."The Four Freedoms""In the future days, which we seek to makesecure, we look forward for a world foundedupon four essential human freedoms."The first is freedom of speech and expression””everywhere in the world."The second is freedom of every person to worshipGod in his own way””everywhere in the world."The third is freedom from want””which, translatedinto world terms, means economic understandingswhich will secure to every nation ahealthy, peaceful life for its inhabitants””everywherein the world."The fourth is freedom from fear ”” which,translated into world terms, means a worldwidereduction of armaments to such a point and insuch a thorough fashion that no nation will bein a position to commit an act of aggressionagainst any neighbor””anywhere in the world."Franklin Delano RooseveltAddress to the CongressJanuary 6, 1941State GovernorsWho have issued proclamations or messages concerningBill of Rights Day ObservancesAlabama, GOV. GEORGE P. WALLACEAlaska, GOV. WILLIAM A. EGANArizona, GOV. PAUL J. FANNINArkansas, GOV. ORVAL E. FAUBUSCalifornia, GOV. EDMUND G. BROWNColorado, GOV. JOHN A. LOVEConnecticut, GOV. JOHN DEMPSEYDelaware, GOV. CHARLES L. TERRY, JR.Florida, GOV. FARRIS BRYANTGeorgia, GOV. CARL E. SANDERSHawaii, GOV. JOHN A. BURNSIdaho, GOV. ROBERT E. SMYLIEIllinois, GOV. OTTO KERNER, JR.Indiana, GOV. MATTHEW E. WEISHIowa, GOV. HAROLD E. HUGHESKansas, GOV. JOHN ANDERSONKentucky, GOV. EDWARD T. BREATHITTLouisiana, GOV. JAMES J. McKITHENMaine, GOV. JOHN H. REEDMaryland, GOV. J. MILLARD TAWESMassachusetts, GOV. ENDICOT PERBODYMichigan, GOV. GEORGE W. ROMNEYMinnesota, GOV. KARL F. ROLVAGGMissouri, GOV. WARREN E. HEARMESMississippi, GOV. PUL B: JOHNSON Jr.Montana, GOV. TIM BABCOCKNebraska, GOV. FRANK B. MORRISONNevada, GOV. GRANT SAWYERNew Hampshire, GOV. JOHN W. KINGNew Jersey, GOV. RICHARD J. HUGHESNew Mexico, GOV. JACK M. CAMPBELLNew York, GOV. NELSON A. ROCKEFELLERNorth Carolina, GOV. TERRY SANFORDNorth Dakota, GOV. WILLIAM L. GUYOhio, GOV. JAMES A. RHODESOklahoma, GOV. HENRY BELLMONOregon, GOV. MARK O. HATFIELDPennsylvania, GOV. WILLIAM A. SCRANTONRhode Island, GOV. JOHN H. CHAFEESouth Carolina, GOV. ROBERT E. McNAIRSouth Dakota, GOV. ARCHIE GUBBENDTennessee, GOV. FRANK C. CLEMENTTexas, GOV. JOHN B. CONNALLYUtah, GOV. GEORGE D. CLYDEVirginia, GOV. ALBERTIS S. HARRISON, Jr.Vermont, GOV. PHILIP H. HOFFWashington, GOV. ALBERT R. ROSELLINIWest Virginia, GOV. WILLIAM W. BARRONWisconsin, GOV. JOHN W. REYNOLDSWyoming, GOV. CLIFFORD F. HANSENThe first national observance of the Bill of Rights Day, Proclaimed byPresident Franklin Delano Roosevelt, was held on December 15th, 1941 in the City of New Yorkand has become an annual observance.The proclamation of the Mayor of the City of New York, first capital of the United States,where the Bill of Rights was accepted by the First Congress and submitted to the States for ratification,was issued in behalf of the Association and signed by Mayor Robert F. Wagner on Dec. 1965.AMERICAN BILL OF RIGHTS DAY ASSOCIATIONNational Headquarters:175 FIFTH AVENUE, NEW YORK CITY 10, N. Y.National Director: Capt. VINCENT ROSSINIAsst, National Director: JOHN TORZILLIEducational Director: FREDERICK CUTTITTAPublic Relations: CARL W. GERACIThe Association Wishes to Acknowledge the Patronage ofTHE COLUMBIA ASSOCIATIONO F THE BOARD OF EDUCATIONProgram Published through courtesy ofEquitable Savings and Loan Association, 15 Willoughby St., Brooklyn, N. Y.

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